Scam report Scam Alerts

Inbound Message Rejection Report Scam: Fake Cache Fix Steals Email Logins

By Lapain Epuran10 min read

Five emails supposedly never reached your inbox. Two buttons offer a quick fix, tempting when you’re waiting for something important.

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If you received an Inbound Message Rejection Report, look closely at the repair it proposes before trying to retrieve anything.

Original illustrative Inbound Message Rejection Report email with fictional addresses and Clear Cache and Review Messages buttons

Overview

A missing-mail warning with two routes to the same place

The Inbound Message Rejection Report scam impersonates a mail administrator. Its reported message says five incoming emails failed, then offers Clear Cache and Review Messages.

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Both choices reportedly lead to one counterfeit Webmail Login page. The apparent choice between maintenance and message review does not provide two independent solutions.

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Someone waiting for a purchase order, interview reply, or customer complaint has a reason to investigate. The pitch borrows that everyday concern.

The illustration above uses fictional mail details. It shows the competing button labels, not an authenticated message received by a particular person.

The requested password is the important change

The destination is described as a generic login form with the recipient’s email address already filled in. It then requests the account password.

A prefilled address can feel reassuring. However, knowing where an email was sent does not demonstrate that the page controls the mailbox or its delivery queue.

The reported form uses Google Cloud Storage infrastructure. Hosting on a familiar platform does not turn a customer’s uploaded page into an official Google account service.

Separate delivery trouble from an unexpected sign-in

  • Check missing correspondence through your normal mail application or provider dashboard.
  • Do not give an unfamiliar page your password to repair a supposed queue.
  • Record what you actually entered or downloaded before choosing recovery steps.

Real delivery problems occur. This warning concerns the deceptive repair route, not every bounce notice, quarantine report, or administrator message.

Receiving the email alone does not mean your device is infected. Entering credentials creates an account problem even when no software is installed.

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Why a Cache Fix Sounds Believable

You may have cleared a browser cache before fixing a stubborn website. That familiar phrase makes the proposed action sound routine and low risk.

But the browser’s stored page data and a mail server’s handling of incoming messages are different things. One label cannot explain both processes.

A cache problem might affect how a webmail page displays. It does not establish that an emailed button can release messages from a server you have not authenticated.

The other button, Review Messages, appeals to a different instinct. Instead of fixing technology, you appear to be checking whether anything important needs attention.

That makes the message work for readers with different levels of confidence. The technical reader sees maintenance; the busy reader sees a short task.

Before accepting either route, ask what evidence the sender provides. A count of rejected emails is a claim, not a list of verified failed deliveries.

A genuine problem can be checked independently. You do not need to use the report’s own access route to find out whether your mailbox works.

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How the Inbound Message Rejection Report Scam Works

Step 1: The email gives you a problem you cannot easily see

Missing incoming mail creates an awkward uncertainty. You cannot open a message that supposedly never arrived, and you may not know who attempted to contact you.

The warning fills that gap with an apparently precise explanation. A small message count feels plausible, unlike an enormous claim that immediately demands skepticism.

The reader may start supplying their own examples: a late invoice, a job application, or a reply that has taken longer than expected.

Those examples make the notice relevant without the sender proving that any such correspondence exists. Your real concerns do part of the persuasion.

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If a specific sender matters, contact that person through an established channel. Ask whether they sent anything and whether they received a genuine delivery error.

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Step 2: Two button labels reduce the chance you leave

The email presents action as a choice within the report. You can perform maintenance or inspect messages, rather than deciding whether to trust the report at all.

That distinction matters. A page can offer several controls while keeping every route under one operator’s control.

On a desktop, hovering over a link may reveal its destination. On mobile, inspect it carefully without opening a preview that loads the suspicious page.

Do not repeatedly test the buttons to see whether one works differently. The appropriate comparison is with your provider’s independently opened service.

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If a browser or security product blocks the destination, leave the warning in place. Missing correspondence is not a reason to bypass a protective interstitial.

Step 3: Familiar hosting makes an unfamiliar form less noticeable

A cloud-hosted address may contain a recognizable company name. Readers sometimes treat that name as though it identifies the person asking for their password.

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In reality, infrastructure and account administration are separate roles. A storage service can serve customer content without endorsing its claims.

Read the full address and consider the workflow. A generic form reached through an unexpected repair email is not your established provider dashboard.

An encrypted connection is useful, but it protects the connection to that destination. It does not establish that the destination should receive your credentials.

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Likewise, a page that loads quickly and has no spelling mistakes can still be deceptive. Presentation is not an authentication method.

Step 4: Your own email address makes the password request feel personal

The filled username creates the impression that the page has already found your account. The remaining field appears to be a final identity check.

A sender can insert the address used to contact you. That information is not the same as access to the mailbox.

The harmful change happens when you provide a secret the sender did not previously have. Stop if a repair task unexpectedly becomes a password submission.

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Do not substitute another account’s password or enter a fake one to investigate. Neither action is needed to establish that this route is unsuitable.

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Open the normal mail service yourself. If it requires authentication, complete that through the address and account process you already trust.

Step 5: Mailbox access can spread the problem beyond missing messages

An attacker with usable credentials may attempt to read correspondence or send messages as you. Available access depends on the provider and its additional protections.

Business conversations deserve particular attention. An intruder may learn who is awaiting payment or which supplier is expected to send revised banking instructions.

Account recovery messages can also arrive in the inbox. That makes email important when reviewing other accounts after a confirmed unauthorized sign-in.

These are risks to assess, not proof that every recipient lost money. Check actual activity rather than treating every possible consequence as something already completed.

Act promptly if you entered the password. Waiting for an obvious symptom can leave a working account available to someone else.

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How to Check Whether Mail Really Is Missing

Start with the mailbox you normally use

Open your saved mail application or a trusted bookmark. Look for account warnings there, rather than using a link supplied by the unexpected report.

Check Spam, Junk, and any legitimate quarantine area you already recognize. Search by sender and date if you are expecting a specific conversation.

Do not delete large amounts of mail to satisfy an unverified warning. Removing useful evidence or correspondence does not repair a phishing message.

Ask for a real delivery record

A known sender can provide the time of sending and any delivery error they received. Your administrator can compare that with the organization’s own records.

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Give IT the original suspicious message through the approved reporting process. Forwarding a screenshot alone may omit headers and destinations needed for investigation.

Keep private customer information out of public help requests. A useful description does not require posting entire invoices, authentication codes, or personal correspondence.

Use provider guidance rather than a message’s repair instructions

Google’s phishing guidance recommends opening the intended service directly when an emailed link asks for a password.

The principle applies even when your mailbox is hosted elsewhere. Use that provider’s own support and recovery route, not a universal form promoted by the email.

If several colleagues received the same warning, report that pattern. Do not make each person reproduce the sign-in page to confirm it.

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What to Do If You Responded to the Rejection Report

  1. Stop the repair attempt and preserve a short record. Close the linked form. Keep the subject, sender address, destination, and approximate time you interacted.

    Write down whether you only viewed it, typed a password, approved another prompt, or downloaded anything. Do not include the actual password in your notes.

    This distinction helps support choose the right response. It also prevents a frightening email from turning into unnecessary changes across every device you own.

  2. If credentials were entered, secure the real account. Use a trusted device and the provider’s genuine password-change process. Replace the exposed secret with a unique password.

    If you cannot sign in, start official account recovery. For Google accounts, the compromised-account guidance describes recovery and security review.

    Do not trust a recovery link sent by the same administrator identity that delivered the original report. It may be another attempt.

  3. Review access that a new password may not end. Check recent sign-ins, active sessions, recovery contacts, and connected applications using your provider’s controls.

    Ask your workplace administrator to assess the account if it belongs to an organization. They may have logs and containment options unavailable to an individual user.

    Review unfamiliar forwarding rules and mailbox filters. A rule can quietly redirect useful messages or hide replies even after the original phishing page disappears.

  4. Address password reuse and consequential messages. Replace the same password wherever else you used it, starting with accounts connected to important personal or business information.

    Inspect sent mail and relevant ongoing conversations. If suspicious instructions went to a supplier or customer, warn them through a separate known contact route.

    Do not assume a forged payment request was followed. Ask the intended recipient what happened and preserve any actual payment details for the appropriate fraud team.

  5. Check the device only when there was device exposure. If the page prompted a download or installation, leave the file unopened and obtain trusted cleanup guidance.

    Malwarebytes can help inspect suspected malicious software. A device scan does not revoke mailbox sessions or recover a password already supplied to a website.

    AdGuard may reduce exposure to harmful advertising and some dangerous destinations. It is an additional browsing measure, not a substitute for fixing the affected account.

  6. Report the message and check the real delivery issue separately. Use your mail application’s phishing-report control or your organization’s reporting channel.

    After the account is secure, follow up on genuinely missing correspondence with known senders. That resolves the original concern without returning to the counterfeit form.

    Keep the support case number and any findings. If further messages arrive using the same pretext, add them to that record instead of restarting the process.

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Is Your Device Infected? Run a Free Malware Scan

Slow performance, constant pop-ups, or strange behavior? These are classic signs of a malware infection. The fastest way to find out is to scan your device with Malwarebytes Free β€” one of the most trusted malware removal tools available.

The free version detects and removes the most common threats, including:

  • Adware β€” the cause of those annoying pop-ups
  • Browser hijackers β€” unwanted redirects and changed homepages
  • Trojans and spyware β€” hidden programs stealing your data
  • Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) β€” software you never asked for

πŸ‘‰ Select your device below β€” Windows, Mac, or Android β€” then follow the simple steps to download Malwarebytes, scan your system, and remove any threats it finds. The scan usually takes 5 to 20 minutes.

Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Windows

Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and trusted anti-malware tools for Windows β€” and it’s completely free for removing infections. It catches threats that many antivirus programs miss, including adware, browser hijackers, and trojans. Follow the steps below to scan and clean your PC in just a few minutes.

  1. Download Malwarebytes

    Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows from the official source. The free version is all you need β€” it will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software at no cost.

    Malwarebytes Free for WindowsScans and removes malware at no cost
    Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for Windows 11 and 10. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium
  2. Install Malwarebytes

    When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the MBSetup file. If Windows shows a User Account Control pop-up, click “Yes” to allow the installation.

    MBAM1
  3. Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes

    The setup wizard will walk you through a few quick screens:

    • Choose where you’re installing the program β€” “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” β€” then click Next.

      MBAM3 1
    • Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.

      MBAM4
    • When installation is complete, the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen will open automatically.

      MBAM6 1
    • On the final screen, click Open Malwarebytes to launch the program.

      MBAM5 1
  4. Enable “Scan for Rootkits”

    Before scanning, turn on rootkit detection so Malwarebytes can find even the most hidden threats. Click the Settings gear icon on the left side of the screen.

    MBAM8

    In the settings menu, find “Scan for rootkits” and click the toggle so it turns blue.

    MBAM9

    Done? Click “Dashboard” in the left pane to return to the main screen.

  5. Start the Scan

    Click the blue Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its virus database and start checking your computer for malware.

    MBAM10
  6. Wait for the Scan to Finish

    The scan checks your entire system for browser hijackers and other malicious programs, so it can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on your computer. Feel free to do something else β€” just check back occasionally to see the progress.

    MBAM11
  7. Quarantine the Detected Threats

    When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found β€” malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all of them at once.

    MBAM12

    Malwarebytes will now remove the malicious files and registry entries and move them safely into quarantine.

    MBAM13
  8. Restart Your Computer

    Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot. If Malwarebytes asks you to restart, click Yes. Once you’re logged back in, Malwarebytes has finished removing the threats it found.

    MBAM14

That’s it β€” your Windows PC is now clean of trojans, adware, and other malware, and should be back to running smoothly.

Keep your PC protectedStop the next infection before it starts
If your antivirus let this threat through, it may not be enough on its own. Malwarebytes Premium adds real-time protection that blocks malware, ransomware, and malicious websites before they can infect your computer.See Malwarebytes Premium

If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:

Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Mac

Malwarebytes for Mac is a free on-demand scanner that removes the malware other security software tends to miss β€” adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted programs included. Cleaning an infected Mac with Malwarebytes has always been completely free, and it’s our go-to recommendation. Follow the steps below to scan and clean your Mac in just a few minutes.

  1. Download Malwarebytes for Mac

    Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac.

    Malwarebytes Free for MacScans and removes malware at no cost
    Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for macOS. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium
  2. Open the Malwarebytes setup file

    When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file to begin the installation.

    Double-click on setup file to install Malwarebytes

  3. Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes

    The Malwarebytes for Mac Installer will guide you through a few quick screens. Click “Continue” and keep following the prompts until the installation completes.

    Click Continue to install Malwarebytes for Mac

    Click again on Continue to install Malwarebytes for Mac

    Click Install to install Malwarebytes on Mac

    When the installation is complete, Malwarebytes opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click “Get started“.

  4. Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”

    Malwarebytes will ask what type of computer you’re installing it on. Click either Personal Computer or Work Computer, whichever applies.
    Select Personal Computer or Work Computer mac

  5. Start the Scan

    Click the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its detection database and begin checking your Mac for malware.
    Click on Scan button to start a system scan Mac

  6. Wait for the Scan to Finish

    Malwarebytes will scan your Mac for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This can take a few minutes, so feel free to do something else β€” just check back occasionally to see the progress.
    Wait for Malwarebytes for Mac to scan for malware

  7. Quarantine the Detected Threats

    When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all the threats at once.
    Review the malicious programs and click on Quarantine to remove malware

  8. Restart Your Mac

    Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files it found. Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot β€” if Malwarebytes asks you to restart, allow it. Once you’re logged back in, your Mac is clean.
    Malwarebytes For Mac requesting to restart computer

That’s it β€” your Mac is now free of adware, rogue browser extensions, and other potentially harmful software.

Keep your Mac protectedStop the next infection before it starts
If your Mac got infected, its built-in protection may not be enough on its own. Malwarebytes Premium for Mac adds real-time protection that blocks malware and adware before they can infect your Mac.See Malwarebytes Premium

If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.

Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Android

Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.

  1. Download Malwarebytes for Android.

    You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.

    Malwarebytes for AndroidScans your phone and removes malware at no cost
    Get Malwarebytes for AndroidOpens Google Play in a new tab.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium for Android
  2. Install Malwarebytes for Android on your phone.

    In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.

    Tap Install to install Malwarebytes for Android

    When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
    Malwarebytes for Android - Open App

  3. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process

    When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options.
    This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue.
    Malwarebytes Setup Screen 1
    Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step.
    Malwarebytes Setup Screen 2
    Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue.
    Malwarebytes Setup Screen 3
    Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
    Malwarebytes Setup Screen 4

  4. Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android

    You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.

    Malwarebytes fix issue

    Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.

    Update database and run Malwarebytes scan on phone

  5. Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.

    Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
    Malwarebytes scanning Android for Vmalware

  6. Click on “Remove Selected”.

    When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
    Remove malware from your phone

  7. Restart your phone.

    Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.


That’s it β€” your Android phone is now clean β€” no more malicious apps, adware, or browser redirects.

Keep your phone protectedStop the next infection before it starts
Malwarebytes for Android Premium adds real-time protection that blocks malicious apps and scam links before they can harm your phone.See Malwarebytes for Android

If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:

Stay Protected: Block Ads and Malicious Sites

Now that your device is clean, keep it that way. Most infections start with a malicious ad or a fake download button β€” so blocking them at the source is your best defense.

We recommend AdGuard, which blocks malicious ads, phishing pages, and dangerous redirects before they can reach you.

πŸ‘‰ Download AdGuard and browse safely

A Useful Handoff to Your Mail Administrator

A concise incident summary is more helpful than a long account of every worry the warning raised. Describe the message, the action, and the time.

Include the affected mailbox and whether it is shared. A shared inbox may have several legitimate users whose access needs to be coordinated during recovery.

If you submitted a password more than once, say so without writing it down. The timing can help an administrator compare later login attempts.

Explain whether another page requested a code or application approval. Do not approve a fresh notification merely because support is discussing the incident.

Also identify the device used. A personal computer and a managed work computer may require different handling, even though the phishing message looks identical.

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Once support has what it needs, follow its containment instructions. Avoid independently deleting accounts or resetting managed equipment while someone is preserving evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Inbound Message Rejection Report a real provider warning?

The reported email uses a false delivery problem to solicit a password. Check any genuine mailbox issue through the service you normally use.

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Will clearing my browser cache release the five emails?

The report provides no reliable basis for that claim. Browser cache maintenance and server-side delivery are different issues, and an unfamiliar login does not verify either.

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Why does the form already know my address?

The sender already had an address to email. Prefilling it personalizes the page but does not prove access to your account or missing messages.

Does Google hosting make the form legitimate?

No. A familiar infrastructure provider can host content supplied by someone else. Judge the account workflow and exact destination, not one recognizable hostname component.

Am I infected because I read the message?

Reading it does not establish infection. Credential exposure, a downloaded file, and executed software are different events that require different checks.

What if the password stopped working afterward?

Use official account recovery immediately and notify your administrator if applicable. Do not seek access through the report’s buttons or its supposed support contact.

The Bottom Line

Do not use either button in the fake Inbound Message Rejection Report. A missing-mail claim is not a reason to surrender your password.

If you already entered it, recover the real mailbox and review access settings. Investigate any actual delivery problem afterward through trusted mail support.

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Pause before the next suspicious message.

A convincing message can lead to a fake login page. These tools add checks and browsing protection alongside your own verification.

Affiliate links We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. How we’re funded

MalwarebytesSCAM & MALWARE PROTECTION

Check the message before you respond.

Share suspicious text or a link with Malwarebytes Scam Guard for an assessment. Premium Security adds protection against phishing and other web threats.

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Cut down the distractions around you.

AdGuard filters intrusive ads and trackers. Its supported protection features can also help block access to known dangerous websites.

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Explore AdGuardExplore features on the official website

Features vary by device and plan. These tools add protection; they do not guarantee that a website or offer is trustworthy.

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Written by

Lapain Epuran

Hello! I'm Lapain Epuran, your go-to source for detailed and honest product reviews. From tech gadgets to miracle cures, I provide insights to help you make informed choices. Join me as we discover what's truly worth your time and money.

3,597 articlesWriting since 2024
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